Recently an author brought his characters to life in New York City, a book club pick was announced, nonprofits came together for an event, a panel highlighted the impact of a beloved character, a book festival took place, and an author donned a costume for a launch party.
Who Let the Dogs Out?
Dav Pilkey held a live event at the main branch of the New York Public Library on November 7 as an early kick-off for Dog Man: Big Jim Believes (Graphix), the latest book in his Dog Man series. Pilkey presented to 300 students from New York City schools, and kids had the chance to meet the costumed characters from his works.
Welcome to Book Club
To kick off a new partnership between Random House Children’s Books/Underlined and the Little Words Project influencers and readers gathered at the Little Words Project’s Bleecker Street store in New York City on November 11 for the announcement of a quarterly book club. The Little Book Club’s first selection is We Fell Apart by E. Lockhart (Delacorte), who made an appearance at the event. Guests were invited to create their own custom bracelets, and Lockhart discussed her latest installment in the We Were Liars universe, signed books, and chatted with fans. Here, Lockhart (front row c.) with attendees.
Nonprofits Work Together
On October 30, Rebecca Gardyn Levington held a storytime event at Settlement Health in New York City, sponsored by nonprofits Reach Out and Read NY, Literacy in Community, publisher Barefoot Books, and the New York Public Library. Levington gave a reading from her picture books Whatever Comes Tomorrow, illustrated by Mariona Cabassa, and Some Days I’m The Wind, illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova. Each child received free signed copies of each book.
Long Live Pippi
Fans of Astrid Lindgren’s beloved fictional character Pippi Longstocking gathered for “Bold Books, Brave Voices: Celebrating 80 Years of Pippi Longstocking and the Power of Children’s Literature,” a panel that took place on November 9 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C. Panelists included Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award recipient Laurie Halse Anderson, head of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award Åsa Bergman, and writer Jenny Jägerfeld, who discussed the character’s long-lasting legacy and impact on children’s literature.
A Silver Anniversary
The 25th annual Twin Cities Book Festival took place on November 8, drawing 7,000 readers to the Union Depot transportation center in St. Paul, Minn., for a day of author events and children’s activities. Here (from l.) children’s authors Margi Preus, Joyce Sidman, Keenan Jones, Matthew Schufman, and Art Coulson ahead of a book signing.
Going Bananas!
Big Red Books in Nyack, N.Y., welcomed Sam Wedelich on November 12 for her launch party in celebration A Quick Trip to the Store (Knopf). The picture book follows a girl whose grocery store run takes a humorous twist when she takes matters into her own hands. Wedelich came aptly dressed as a banana for the event.
